Rough Path

Chapter 8: It's Going To Be Okay

Abby couldn't believe it. Carter was alive, not dead.

She didn't know what to say to him. She was so afraid to lose him, that she never thought about what to say if he was okay. She never thought that it was a possibility that he's alive. She thought she lost him forever.

"Abby, are you still there?"

She smiled. "I'm still here, Carter. I'm just so shocked that you're talking to me. I thought that I lost you."

"I'm sorry you had to go through that, thinking that I was dead. I didn't even know that I was missing. Luka told me that I have been missing for a few days. I heard you wanted to come down to Africa and try to find me."

"I would do anything to find you, I . " but she stopped mid sentence. She couldn't tell him that she loved him - not over the phone.

Instead she decided to change the subject. "How are you doing?"

"I'm okay. I'm still a little weak, and I have a broken leg. But it could have been much worse."

"I know it could have been."

I could be talking to Luka now instead of John. Instead of happy news ... get bad news, she thought to herself.

"When will you be coming home?" Abby then asked.

"I don't know, I will call you as soon as I know more," Carter replied. "I miss you, Abby."

"I miss you too, John."

Suddenly Abby heard someone calling John's name in the background.

"I guess you need to go."

"I do, but I will see you soon."

Abby was about to hang up the phone when she said, "I'm glad that you are alright, John. I don't know what I would have done if you weren't. Please come home soon."

"I promise, I will be home soon," Carter said. "Bye."

"Bye."

And with that they both hung up the phone.

Abby couldn't believe what just happened . Carter was alive, and he was okay.

She thought that her whole life was going to change when she got the news that he was missing, that she lost the man that she loved.

But in fact, he was alive. And she wasn't going to mess up this chance she got. She'd tell him how much she loves him once he's back.

Suddenly Abby remembered that there's someone she should call, picked up her phone, and dialed the familiar number.

"Hello," said the voice on the other line.

"Hey Susan, it's me, Abby."

"Did you get news about Carter?"

"Yes."

"Abby, are you okay?"

"Susan, I'm great. Carter is alive."

"I can't believe this. I told you everything was going to work out. I'm coming over right now, you have to explain everything to me."

"Susan, you don't have to."

Susan laughed. "You just found out that your boyfriend is alive. You want to celebrate, don't you?"

She laughed. "Okay, I'll see you soon." Abby paused for a moment before she spoke again. "Thank you Susan for everything."

"That's what friends are for," Susan said.

Abby just smiled. "Bye."

"Bye."

Abby still smiled to herself when she got up from the couch. Her eyes fell on the photo album on her table. She picked it up and opened it, finding some pictures of her and Carter together.

All the memories, and the thought of what's still to come in the future made her cry, but this time they were happy tears.

Everything was going to be okay.

***

Meanwhile in Kisangani

Carter couldn't stop thinking about Abby. As soon as he heard her voice, he knew that he needed to go back home as soon as possible.

He already promised her to be home soon once. And the last time he didn't keep his promise. But this time he was not going to break it.

Suddenly he heard someone calling his name. He turned around, and saw Luka standing in front of him. "When do you think I will be able to go back to Chicago?"

Luka sat down next to Carter. "You are still a little weak, but I think in a few days you will be ready to go back. You miss her, don't you?"

Carter nodded.

"She was so worried about you when she found out that you were missing. I called her a few times to keep her up to date on the search for you. She sounded so distant and not herself. She really was scared for you."

"I know she was," Carter replied.

He knew before he left for Africa the second time that they still needed to sort some things out. But none of that mattered as all he wanted to do was to be with her again.

"Will you be coming to Chicago with me when I go?" Carter asked.

Luka looked at Carter, and shook his head. "I don't know." Then he stood up. "I have to go check out some of my patients."

"Thank you for finding me."

Luka nodded before he left. Carter would never forget what Luka did for him.

***

At Abby's apartment

Susan had just arrived, and was sitting on the couch.

"Do you want to something to eat?" Abby called from the kitchen.

Susan turned around. "No, I want to hear all about Carter. How did you find out that he was alive. Did Luka call you?"

Abby walked up to Susan, and sat down next to her. "It wasn't Luka who called, it was John. I was sitting in the living room when the telephone rang. I picked it up, and it was John. I was in shock; I thought that I would never hear his voice again. Susan, to tell you the truth, I was really losing hope that Carter was going to be alive. I was starting to think that I would have to spend the rest of my life without him."

Susan smiled at Abby. "But you won't. Carter is going to be alright, and is going to come home to you very soon. When will he be back?"

"I don't know. He said that he would call me as soon as he knew."

Susan hugged Abby. "I am so happy that everything worked out for you. You deserve some happiness."

"So how's your hand?" Susan then asked.

Abby looked down at it. "I haven't even thought of it since I found out that Carter was alive. It is a little sore, but it's nothing."

A few hours later

"I should be going. I have an early shift tomorrow. Are you working?" Susan asked.

Abby nodded.

"I'll see you then," Susan said as she grabbed her jacket.

"Susan, you have been such a wonderful friend during this terrible time I had to go through. Thank you again," Susan hugged Abby.

"You are my friend, that is what friends do."

"Bye," Abby said as Susan left the apartment.

She shut the door, and headed to the bedroom, got undressed, crawled into the bed, and laid her head on the pillow.

Today turned out to be the best day of my life, Abby thought to herself as she dozed off.

***

Few days later

"So today is the day that Carter returns home?"

Abby smiled at Susan. "Yes, I'm so excited. I'm going to go meet him at the airport in a few hours. My shift is finished now, so I am going to go home."

"To fresh up for him?" Susan laughed.

Abby laughed. "Maybe." She opened her locker, and put her jacket on. "I never thought that was how it was going to turn out. I never thought that John would be okay. But you did Susan. Thank you," Abby said, as she hugged Susan.

"You thanked me enough," Susan laughed. "Go home and get ready to see Carter."

Abby smiled. "Bye," she said, as she walked out of the lounge.

***

A few hours later

Abby arrived at the airport, and walked up to the receptionist to see if Carter's plane had come in yet.

"No, I'm sorry. That plane is delayed. But it shouldn't be more than half an hour."

"Thanks," Abby said, as she went to the waiting area, and sat there to wait.

She was so scared that something else happened to Carter, and that he wasn't really coming back. But then suddenly she turned around, and saw him.

He was walking in crutches. Their eyes met, she stood up, and started to run to him. She hugged him; she didn't want to let him go.

"Abby ."

"Don't talk right now, John.," she said as she put her head on his shoulder.

There was so much that Abby wanted to ask him, but right now all she wanted was to be in his arms.



To be continued!!